Four suspects have been arrested by the Bauchi State Police Command for their alleged involvement in the murder of a 70-year-old woman, Mama Talatu Joshua, over allegations of witchcraft in Jinga village, Kirfi Local Government Area of the state.
Spokesperson of the command, CSP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, who confirmed the incident in a statement on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, said the wife of one of the suspects, Ramatu Yusuf, fell ill and sought counsel from a traditional healer, who alleged that late Talatu was responsible for her condition.
The suspects confronted Talatu while she was returning home from St. Benedict Catholic Church on March 2, 2025, accused her of witchcraft, and threatened her life before attacking her with sticks, knives and cutlasses, leading to her d3ath.
A petition submitted by ADA-LIGHT KWALTINGS, SAMUEL & PARTNERS, on behalf of the victim’s family alleged that since the incident, officers from the Kirfi Division have not taken further action against the suspects.
“The Bauchi State Police Command has received a petition and correspondence from ADA-LIGHT KWALTINGS, SAMUEL & PARTNERS concerning the murder of Mama Talatu Joshua, a 70-year-old resident of Gobir village in the Kirfi Local Government Area (LGA),” the statement read.
“The alleged perpetrators include Rilwanu Mani (Chiroman Gobir), Ali Isah (Sarkin Gobir), Ila Amo (Marafan Gobir), and Jamilu, all of whom are males from Gobir village, also within Kirfi LGA, Bauchi State.
“According to the petition, on the 2nd of March 2024, at about 1600hrs, Mama Talatu was assaulted by the aforementioned suspects while returning home from St. Benedict Catholic Church.
“She sustained multiple injuries from sticks, knives, and cutlasses, which ultimately resulted in her death at the scene before any intervention by bystanders.
“The complainant promptly contacted Police ASP Jerry via mobile telephone, notifying him of the tragic circumstances. Upon his arrival at the scene with a contingent of officers, he discovered the victim deceased.
“Officers from the Kirfi Division confirmed her death but informed the complainant that he would receive further updates the following day, thereby leaving the body without additional instructions.
“By the 3rd of March 2025, the complainant had not received any communication from the officers of the Kirfi Division. He once again reached out to ASP Jerry for guidance regarding the body. The ASP indicated that all pertinent information had been obtained and advised him to proceed with the burial.
“Since the incident on the 2nd of March 2025, officers from the Kirfi Division have not taken further action against the suspects, who were observed fleeing the scene, and none have been apprehended for investigation and interrogation.
“The suspects’ actions are deemed inhumane, illegal, and unjustifiable, thereby jeopardising the community’s peace. Mama Talatu, a mother of ten and grandmother of forty, dedicated her entire life to Jinga village in Kirfi LGA, while the alleged perpetrators remain large.
“On March 2, 2025, at about 0900hrs, a 25-year-old male, referred to as M, from Jinga village, Kirfi Local Government Area (LGA), Bauchi State, reported to the Kirfi Divisional Police Headquarters that his grandmother, Talatu Joshua, a 70-year-old resident of Kuna village, Kirfi LGA, had been assaulted by a group of youths from Gobirawa village, Kirfi LGA.
“The assailants, identified as Rilwanu Usman, Ali Isa, Ila Alhaji Marafa, and Jamilu Malam Usman, perpetrated the attack around 8:00hrs in a secluded area of Kuna, resulting in multiple injuries to the victim, including a significant injury beneath her left ear.
“Following the incident, the victim was transported to the General Hospital in Kirfi for medical attention but was subsequently pronounced deceased by a medical professional.
“In response to this incident, it is imperative to address a petition submitted by ADA-LIGHT KWALTINGS, SAMUEL, & PARTNERS, which contains several assertions that lack substantiation. Paragraph 4 of the petition states, “The policemen attached to Kirfi Division confirmed the death of the deceased and left their office informing the complainant that he would hear from them the next day, while the corpse was left without further instruction.” It is essential to clarify that law enforcement personnel are not qualified to make determinations regarding d3ath.
“Furthermore, paragraph 6 alleges that following the March 2, 2025 incident, the police officers at Kirfi Division failed to take appropriate action against the suspects above, who were observed leaving the scene. It should be emphasised that the police, functioning as an independent entity, adhere strictly to established protocols and regulations concerning professional conduct. Each investigation involves a series of methodical steps that must be followed diligently. The police remain committed to thoroughly investigating the circumstances surrounding this tragic occurrence.
“The suspects were apprehended on March 8, 2025, at about 5:30hrs and were subsequently detained at the Criminal Investigation Department.
“During the ongoing investigation, it was determined that the underlying cause of the attack originated from an incident on Friday, February 28, 2025. On that date, the wife of one of the suspects, Ramatu Yusuf, fell ill and sought counsel from a traditional healer, who alleged that Talatu of Jinga village was responsible for her condition.
“Later that day, at about 05:00hrs, Jamilu Usman orchestrated a confrontation with Talatu, accompanied by Ismail Usman, Ali Isah, and Rilwanu Usman.
“During his encounter, they accused her of witchcraft and issued threats regarding her life during the upcoming Sallah procession. The confrontation escalated, resulting in the suspects striking Talatu Joshua on the head with a stick, causing her to lose consciousness and ultimately leading to her demise.
“Ordinary, the Command would have overlooked this issue, but it has become expedient to set the record straight; as members of the public are being misled, the command urges all parties involved to refrain from disseminating unfounded statements, as such actions may compromise the organisation’s integrity and jeopardise the prevailing peace in Bauchi state.
“The Police remain dedicated to adjudicating cases with objectivity and professionalism.”
